Franchi bug bit me
Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Shotguns, Shotgun Ammunition and Shotshell Reloading
Forum Description: Scattergun afficionados meet here!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=28230
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 14:51
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Franchi bug bit me
Posted By: MapleHill
Subject: Franchi bug bit me
Date Posted: 22 February 2026 at 19:45
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Well, since my son started shooting on the school trap team some 5yrs ago, I took to trying out shotguns. Most all my interest up to that point was strictly centerfire rifles and handguns. I had a shotgun or 2 but simple stuff. That has since changed. I fell in love with Over/Unders, and found they can be priced from high to holy sh!t!! I did some research and shot a bunch of different ones at the club. Found I don't like the Brownings at all, bought an SKB trap model and shot it quite a bunch, did pretty well with it. I fell in love with the Beretta 686 and was very close to buying one until someone told me to try a Franchi. I held one years ago in a random LGS somewhere in my travels and remember I liked it. So I bought my first Instinct L 12ga probably 5yrs ago. It is a field model I planned to shoot some trap with it, not my main "league gun" but use it on my western bird hunts. I fell in love with it, right around $1500 at the time it was about 1k less than the Beretta yet very similar. Then last summer I found the Instinct Sporting model, trap version of the L. Well this winter I wanted a 20ga version. But first I ran into an Affinity Upland Elite in 20ga. Affinity is the semi-auto. Made by Benelli, says so right on the receiver and as far as I am concerned, Benelli makes the finest auto loading shotgun. Same action, almost half the price. Then I found the Instinct LX 20ga, and this weekend I traded a couple other trap guns I don't use for an Affinity 3.5 and Affinity 3 12ga. the 3.5 is the 3.5" camo/syn turkey/waterfowl model, the 3 is 3" upland model. Again nearly half the price of a Benelli with the best feature of them...the action! I have shot birds with the 20s and have fell in love!! I feel the 12s are "too much" gun for the preserve birds, although I will give them a go in a couple weeks when we chase some birds, but they will probably be used out west on wild birds mostly. Here are some stock pictures I found online.  Instinct LX  Affinity Upland Elite  Affinity 3  Affinity 3.5 |
Replies:
Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 22 February 2026 at 20:57
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Very nice. I never have had a truly high end over under. I have a SKB 585 Waterfowler. I shoot it better than any other shotgun I've had except a Winchester 1400 semi auto. The Winchester isn't high end at all but it makes me look like a better shot than I really am. ------------- I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on. |
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 23 February 2026 at 05:35
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Franchi was always know for super light weight QUALITY autos. what does it weigh. as you know with shotguns the FIT to You is what matters. looks good ------------- “ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.” |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 23 February 2026 at 15:18
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My daughter in law has one, no idea what one but an auto loader. She loves it. ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 23 February 2026 at 19:14
They are not the top of the high end scale, but certainly punch above their weight class as far as price point. I wouldn't trade them for the best Browning on the market and can't ever see myself spending 4-5K on a gun to drag it thru the brush. The SKB are really nice also for the price. The trap model I just swapped would be 5-6K if it had an Italian name, very high quality. I love Winchester rifles, but will never own another Win shotgun. Had a new SX4 20ga when I was chasing rabbits all over the NE United States and it wasn't worth a good tent stake. Kept it just long enough for it to jam nearly every shot the first time I took it out...she gon!
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Wing master wrote:Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 23 February 2026 at 19:17
I don't know what they weight, but they are VERY light. The O/U 20 is built on a smaller frame, unlike some that just have 20ga barrels on a 12ga frame. I swapped an old Winchester 101 12ga and my Instinct 12 seemed like it was POUNDS lighter than the Winny. The autos are super light, again, I didn't weight them, but compared to an old 1100 my buddy has they are feathers. And the fit is everything. I can hit stuff with them, because they pull up right where they need to be.
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Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 23 February 2026 at 20:32
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I agree that since Winchester discontinued the model 12 their shotguns aren't much for quality. I think it's like Bear said it fits me. It shoots where I'm looking. SKB is a nice shotgun. The fit and finish is very good. Mine doesn't have a lot of rounds through it but I know a couple guys that shoot trap with them and have thousands of rounds through theirs without any problems. I might feel different if I tried a $5,000 over under but I'm happy with it. ------------- I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on. |